Expo proves a success as Wiltshire entrepreneurs pitch to former Dragons’ Den star

Hundreds of delegates from across Wiltshire and beyond attended the flagship West Wiltshire Business Expo at The Civic in Trowbridge on Thursday 8th October.

Organised by The Trowbridge Chamber, in association with The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), this new flagship event showcased some of the very best of Wiltshire’s businesses in The Civic’s state-of-the-art Exhibition Hall.

The expo also featured a series of informative panel discussions with industry experts on topics ranging from AI to sustainability, cybersecurity, marketing, HR and health in the workplace, business finance, skills for Wiltshire, and tech adoption for growth.

The event was officially opened by Dr Andrew Murrison MP and highlights included: 

Dragons’ Den

The ‘Dragons’ Den’ event was led by former BBC Dragon Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig.com, along with Monty George, co-founder of furniturebox, and Joanna Jenson, angel investor and founder of Child’s Farm, who offered entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their business plans in front of a live audience.  

The four intrepid entrepreneurs were Jennifer Pearson, founder of Halliesphere, a luxury hand-crafted ceramic device that turns everyone into an expert florist; Steve Canning, founder of The Wee Baffy Club, a start-up developing Wiltshire’s largest dedicated indoor golf simulator venue; Michael Kerstein, founder of Easy Phones, easy-to-use large-button mobiles; and Amanda Johnson, a Wiltshire NHS paramedic and founder of blossom and beau, an award-winning natural kids’ deodorant for girls.

Meet the Mayors

The ‘Meet The Mayors’ panel discussion featured an unprecedented lineup of eight Wiltshire Mayors from Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Salisbury, Chippenham, Malmsbury, Westbury and Amesbury.

Invest in Wiltshire

The Invest in Wiltshire panel, introduced by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO, was led by Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council; Cllr Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council; Dr Andrew Murrison MP; Brian Matthew MP, and Ian Stone, CEO of apetito, one of the largest employers in Wiltshire, which is investing over £100 million into its new, state-of-the-art food production facility in Trowbridge.

Event sponsors included apetito, Wiltshire Farm Foods, Danone, Nutricia, Wiltshire College, FSB, Monahans, Goughs Solicitors, SWIG Finance, Business West, Sante Group, Capitalise, Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police Business Crime Reduction Partnership.

Carey Tesler, Chair of the Trowbridge Chamber said, “As one of the largest business groups and oldest Chambers in Wiltshire, Trowbridge Chamber membership spreads right across the county. Based in the County Town of Wiltshire, we have made it our mission to champion local businesses, promote Wiltshire as a wonderful county to live and work in, and encourage inward investment. 

“We designed The West Wiltshire Business Expo to encourage networking and cross pollination amongst the business community and to promote our Wiltshire towns, and the feedback from delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers has been excellent. 

“We are delighted to invite businesses, from start-ups to global brands, to join the Trowbridge Chamber and attend our networking events and socials and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone again for The West Wiltshire Business Expo 2027.”

Pictured: (left to right) Carey Tesler, Chair Trowbridge Chamber, Monty George, Co-founder, Furniturebox (Dragon), Joanna Jensen, investor and founder of Child’s Farm, Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig.com (Dragon), Lisa Nathan, Marketing and Communications Manager, SWIG Finance (Dragons’ Den sponsor) Steven Canning, founder, The Wee Baffy Club Ltd (entrepreneur) Jennifer Pearson, founder, Halliesphere (entrepreneur), Amanda Johnson, founder, blossom & beau (entrepreneur), Michael Kerstein, founder Easy Phones (entrepreneur) [IMAGE: Megan Witty]